Machine for forming razor-blades



.. 1 BIAMINEB AU 252 EX FIP8Z12 gs REFERENCE 1.P.TARBOX. MACHINE 'FOR FORMING RAZOR BLADES.

III

WEN TOR 2 5 O 2 O 1 CROSS REFERENCE '11." EXAMWER J. P. TARBOX.

MACHINE FOR FORMING RAZOR BLADES. Ai ucATlon FILED nEc.21. 19w.

1,370,381, Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

IN YEN TOR 2 5-0 2 0 1 c.:c;3 REFERENCE ExAMmER .l. P. TARBOX. MACHINE FOR FORMING RAZOR BLADES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 21. 1915.

1,370,381 Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Q E E INVENTOR 2 5 O 2 0 1 033 REFERENCE ExAMmER J. P. TARBOX.

MACHINE FOR FORMING RAZOR BLADES.

APPLICATION FILED 020.21. 1915.

1,370,381. Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WVENTOR ZOO-201 13am REFERENCE EXAMINER 1. P. TARBOX.

MACHINE FOR ronmms RAZOR BLADES.

APPLICATION FILED 056.21. I915.

Patented Man. 921.

\ 5 SHEETS-S EE 5.

I'IVEIITOR ping, counting and BOP I UNITED srarss PATENT car es...

mm: P. TABBOX, OI BUFFALO, m YORK.

, I03 roams BLED-BLADES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mai. 1, 192;.

Original application fled larch 1B, 1911, Serial Io. 825,677. Divided and this application fled Hm:

be: 81, 1915. Serial Io. 68,108. -.1

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN P. Tannox, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Forming Razor-Blades, of which the following is a s cification.

he apparatus of my invention is particularly ada ted to be used in making safety razor bla es, but is not limited to such use inasmuch as any kind of cutlery of a nature similar to razor blades may be made in ac-. cordance with this method, the method invented by me and formin the subject of the United States Patent umber 1,165,037 gianted December 21st, 1915, on application rial No. 825,077, filed Mar. 16,1914, of which this application is a division.

According to the method of my invention the blades are made from strip material in the following manner: The steel of which the blades are to be made is rolled or otherwise formed into long strips of a width substantially equal to the width and thickness of the blade it is desired to make. The

strips may be several'hundred feet lon and after formation may be coiled up in suitable rolls for storing and shipping and subsequent use. Either simultaneously with the forming of the strips or subsequently thereto, means are formed u n the strip by which it may be supported independently of that edge which is to become the edge of the blades. Preferably apertures or notches are punched in the body of the strip at regular intervals during its formation. Also during the formation of'the strip, or subsequently thereto, it is weakened at points approximately a blade length apart by cutting transversely opposite notches in its edges, apertures in its body, or otherwise reducing the section of the strip at regular intervals. Thereupon the strip is supported by means of the support formed upon or within it, and the rough grinding, tempering, fine grinding, honing, stropping, wrappacka 'ng operations are performed upon it wh le it is so suported. Additionally the strip is moved longitudinally from o ration to operation, while so supporte by power applied through the provided means for support. And finally upon the completion of t e set of blade forming operations partially reerations are performed upon the strips en lessly.

That embodiment of the ap aratus best known by me at this time, is lustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be ob-' vious, however, u n a full understanding of the invention t at it may be given many forms by those skilled in the art, without departing in any way from its generic spirit.

Figure 1 is a perspective side view of a port on of the .ap aratus;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of-the of the apparatus; t Figs. 3 and 14 ions respective y of the indin or hon' mechanism of the appar t us; g mg Fig. 5 is an and elevation of the stropping mechams n;

Fig. 6 man end elevation of a portion of the packaging mechanism;

Fig. 7 is an end elevation in partial transverse sect on of a work holder;

F g. 8 s a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 9 1s a diagram of circuit connections usedt in the temper regulator of the appara us;

10 is a similar diagram of the connect ons of a gage regulating device;

Fig. 11 is a-diagram of a modified form of circuit connections for the temper regulatmg device;

t 1 igs. 12 and 13 are views of various deai s;

Fig. 14 is an elevation of a portion of the strip ready to be operated upon by the apparatus in fulfilment of the method of my invention, and

Fig. 15 is a similar view of a modified form of prepared strip Fig. 16 is a plan view of the upper bearing block arrangement of shafts 18 of the rough grinding mechanism, and also comprises the arrangement em loyed in connection with the feeding mee anism.

As clearly shown in Fig. 14 the strip 10 is provided with regularl spaced apertures a centrally of its body. hese apertures conremainder .stitute the means through which the strip are front and end eleva- I is integrally united thereto by brazing or v holder in which the blade is intended to be used. In a holder of the Gillette type there are three such projections. The apertures a are positioned to suit. The weakened sections of the strip 10 are designated b. As illustrated this section has been -weakened in three ways; first, by cutting notches in the opposite edges; second, by reducing the thickness thereof along the line b; and third. by forming an aperture a on the section line b. Any two or any one of these means of weakening the strip 10 at intervals to define the blades, may be resorted to. The number of apertures a and their location may be varied to suit any desired conditions, but they are preferably s etrically located as res ects the lines of ivision b.

he strip 10 is shown supported in a roll or coil 11 upon a revolving cable or reel 12 supported u n pedestal 13 from the rails 14, 15, whic supports substantially all of the apparatus. e rails 14, 15 are of the engine lathe type and are themselves supported by suitable benches 16.

G is a rough grinding mechanism. It comprises a pair of oppositely driven grinding wheels 1 ,one on each side of the stri 10 and mounted upon a vertically 'exten ing driving axle 18 supported from a central pedestal 19 resting upon and secured to but adjustable along the rails 14, 15. The spindles 18 are geared together at their lower ends by cogs 20. Lost motion ma be pro; vided in the bearings 21 or spin es 18 in any suitable manner, and the two spindles are drawn toward each other by spiral spring 22 extending between them and having a suitable connection with spindles 18. Any suitable adjusting means may be provided for adj ustin the tension of spring 22. The function of t e rough grinding mechanism as clearly indicated, is to remove the surface irregularities of the strip 10 as it is passed between the wheels 17.

The strip 10 issupported vertically and longitudinally in its pasage between the wheels 17 by means of a work holder 'WH on 1 each side thereof and connected with the central supporting pedestal 19. The work holder consists of a normally fixed block 23 having cut in its proper face a channel 24 through which the work strip is passed. Housed within block 23 (see Figs. 7 and 8) and journaled on pin 24 passing substantially therethrough 1s a wheel 25 having pin teeth 26. The face of wheel 25 is substantially flush with the inner wall of channel 24, but the pin teeth 26 project out into the channel. Projected from the opposite wall of the channel 24 by springs 27 on a pair of ide ins 28 is a follow block 29. This ollow b center at 30 to accommodate the projecting pin teeth 26 of wheel 25. The longitudinal extremities 31 of the inner faces of blocks in the plane of strip 10,

supplied direct from the lock is grooved longitudinally of its 23 and 29 may be rounded or not. The teeth 26 of wheel 25 are adapted to engage in aper- -of pin teeth 26, which are largest in diameter, engage within the apertures a. The tension of springs 27 may be adjusted by any suitable means. Additionally, the work holders may be provided with means for adjusting them 10 itudinally and laterally as respects the grin mechanism.

PR is an electric pre eater. This consists of a box or block 32 of heat insulating materialhaving a centrally disposed tunnel 83 lined with refractory material and through which the strip 10 is passed. Electrio heat coils are housed or embedded within the lock 32 on each side of the tunnel 33 and closely adjacent the inner walls thereof. This heater is controlled by rheostat 34 of an approved type supported upon pedestal 35 which supports the heater from rails 14, 15 inthe same manner as the grinding mechanism RG is supported.

ust beyond the rheater PR is adjusted a chilling bath C of oil or water. This comprises a circulating ump 37 below the strip 10 having a disc arge pipe 36 discharging oil through nozzle 38 substantially together with a receiving funnel 39 beneath the strip and having a connection with the suction side of the pump. The flow of oil may be regulated by a flow-controlling b -pass 40 or any other suitable means, and if desired a cooling coil or radiator 41 may be included in the pump circuit. If water is used it may of course be hydrant, and cooling will not be necessary.

Adjoining the chilling bath OH is a pair a of emery wheels 42 supported in a transverse plane, one on' each side of strip 10 by means of frame 43. Frame 43 comprises a pair of arms 44 each of which supports a wheel 42 by a longitudinally extendin spindie 45, and both of which are pivotalfy supported on a common eccentric shaft 46 journaled in bearings 47. The two arms 44 are drawn to ther by spring 48 and shaft 46 is rotatab y driven from gear 49, whereby the wheels 42 are yielding y drawn against the strip 10 and are at the same time reciprocated vertically. During reciprocation they are driven in op 'te directions from shaft 46 by means emu 50 passed over pulleys 51, 51' on shaft 46 and spindles 45 respectively. The function of this maamen .strip, whereby upon being reheated, the

tempgr maylggireahiily illetected.h This' delilpge evice e t e to grin m zchamsm' RG is rovided w it h the workholder WH on eac side thereof, supported from the heater frames, whereby during the polishing operation, the work is rigidly sup- RE is a reheater. In construction it is essentially like the preheater PR, but is preferably of smaller power. It is supportelements or any other.

ed from rails 14, 15 in,a similar manner, and like preheater PR is governed by a rheostat 52. Instead of being manually controlled, however, its rheostat is automaticall Igontrolled from the temper regulator Refen'ing to Fig. 9 it will be seen that this temper regulator consists of a right angular tube structure 53 with its walls cut away at the point 54 of angle in a plane making equal exterior an les with the two branches of the tube. 55 as a light sensitive cell in the outer end of one branch of the tube. This may be a cell having selenium 56 is an incandescent lamp or other source of li ht closing the other branch of tube 53. ube 53 is indicated in Fig. 1 as positioned with the cutaway portion of its point 54 closely adjacent or abutting strip 10 as it emerges from the reheater RE. Light rays from source 56 strike strip 10 and are reflected upon the light sensitive cell 55, and the electro-motive force of this cell;varies in proportion to the amount of light reflected upon it. Thus assuming the normal temper of the blade desired to be indicated by a straw color, if the color turns to blue, less li ht is reflected upon cell 55 and the cell is ess active, whereas, if the straw color fades into white more light is reflected upon cell 55 and it becomes more active. The electromotive force of cell 55 is pitted against the electro motive force of a similar cell 55' by the potentiometer method. 'Cell 55' is a part of the device 53', 54', 55', 56', essentially similar to device 53, 54, 55, 56, but the former deviceinstead of being juxtaposed to strip 10 is juxtaposed to a portion of a standard colored disk 57 adjustable about pivot 58 to register at the point 54 a color indicative of any temper desired. Cells 55 and 55'are connected in opposition through circuit 59, so that when their electro-motive forces are equal no current flows. If, however, the electro-motive force of cell 55 is greater or less than that of cell 55', the current flows in one direction or another through circuit 59. The winding- 60 of an electro-magnet acting on a polarized armature 61 is placed in one branch of circuit 59. Armature 61 controls three circuits, the one, 59, by contact .62 through which cir- CROSS REFERENCE cuit 59 is opened in each direction of move-- meat of armature 61; the second, 63, through contacts 64, and the third, 65, through contacts 66. Circuit 63 includes an electromagnet D arranged when energized to operate rheostat 52 in a direction to ecrease the amount of resistance 67 included in se- EXAMINER ries with the coils 68 of the reheater RE.

Circuit 65, on the other hand, includes ma net I arranged to operate rheostat 52 in a direction to increase the amount of resistance 67 in circuit with the heating coils 68. Magnets I and D operate upon rheostat 52 throu h a step-by-step mechanism as shown. bviously, if current passes through coils 60 in one direction armature 61 is repelled and closes circuit 63, thus causing a step-by-step decrease of resistance 67, for each time armature 61 is repelled circuit 59 is opened at contacts 62 and armature 61 returns to its normal position. This continues until the color 'ven stri 10 by rcheater RE reflects su cient lig t upon cell 55 to equalize its voltage with the voltage of 55'. Precisely the opposite is true when current flows through circuit 69 in the o posite direction, closing and opening circuits 65 and 59. It is thus obvious that the temper may be regulated with at accuracy since a variation in reflecte light is instantaneous, and the apparatus may be finely adjusted, and operates with great rapidity at the rate of several steps to the second. The delicacy of adjustment should of course be regulated to the rapidity of heating of the coils 68 and the speed of travel of the strip 10. The sources 55, 56 and 55', 56 may of course be made adjustable axiall of the tubes if desired.

mmediately adjacent the temper regulating device TR 15 a second chilling bath CH which fixes the regulated temper. Obviously adjustment of temper ma be secured by moving the devices PR, H, RE, TR and CH longitudinally of the strip 10 with respect to each other. In fact there are so many means of adjustment that the temper may be adjusted and maintained for a long period of time without the slightest diificulty. EG is an edge grinding mechanism. It comprises a framework 69 supporting the strip 10 by means of two work holders WH spaced slightly apart and four grinding wheels 70 so arranged that both edges of the blade are ground at the same time. This edge grinder is shown more particularl in Figs. 3 and 4. The wheels 70 are divided into upper and lower pairs supported respectively. from upper and lower drive shafts 71, 72 on swinging arms 73, one on each side of each edge of strip '10. They are driven respectively in the directions shown by the arrows by means of.belts 74 connecting their spindles 75 with shafts 71.

Shafts 71, 72 are interconnected by belt 76, and power is applied to the lower shaft 72 through pulley 77. As clearly appears from Fig. 3, the wheels of the upper and lower pairs, and the arms 73 which support them, are dodged slightly and face in opposite directions as respects their driving belts and arms 73. Interconnecting the arms 73 of each pair, upper and lower, is a rod 78 having its ends oppositely screw threaded into abutments 79 havin a swiveled connection with the arms 73. onnected with one end of rod 78 is a ratchet 80 preferably splined thereon and fixed in longitudinal position by suitable guides 81, and arranged to be acted upon in the one case by the pawl 82 of an electro-magnet U fixed to arm 73, and in the other case by an electro-ma at L fixed to a corresponding arm 73. e 0pposite ends of rods 78 are connected by means of a ball 'oint 83 with adjustin screw 84 threaded into an abutment 85 an having a swiveled connection with frame 69. When; electro-magnet U or L is energized, rod 78 is rotated step-by-step to draw the wheels of the pair of wheels 70 to which the electro-magnet belongs together, since opposite ends of rod 78 are oppositely threaded. This adjustment is made step-by-step and is minute. B means of rod 84 the wheels may be adjuste in airs about axes 71 and 72. By this latter a justment the edge produced upon the blade is centered as respects the body of the blade. This ma be necessa from time to time owing to a 0st unavoi able variations in the wearing quality of the grinding wheels. By the former ad'ustment through electro-magnets U and L, owever, the wheels are adjusted to compensate for normal substantially equal wear. This adjustment is automatic.

GR (Fig. 1) is the gage regulator. This comprises a gair of horizontally disposed insulated con ucting disks 87 (see Figs. 3 and 4). These disks are mounted upon opposite sides of but insulated from, a central pin toothed wheel 88 and are themselves provided with oppositely disposed V-sha ed teeth 89, spaced a blade len h apart. he wheel 86, 87, 88 is ournale in a U shaped bracket 90 connected with the right hand work holder WH of the edge grinder EG, and the spindle91 of the wheel is vertically adjustable in its bearings by means of a set screw 92 engaging its lower end. One arm of bracket 90 carries an insulated brush 93,

while-the other arm carries a similar brush 94, bearing respectively on disks 87 and the pin tooth wheel 88 engages its teeth in apertures a of the strip 10 in such relation to the -teeth 89 of disks 87 that the teeth 89 enga e -the strip 10, if it all, at the lines b of wea ened section which define the blades. Thus teeth 89 engage the strip at the extremities of the blades, whereby dullmg of any part -made for each of the cutting edge is avoided. Normally the contact teeth 89 do not engage the strip 10, but should the width of the blade as ground by wheels increase beyond normal, due to wear of the rinding wheels, contact is immediately ma e through teeth 89 with one edge or the other. If contact is made with the upper edge of the strip 10 (see Fig. 10), circuit 95 is closed through brush 94 to energize relay 96, which relay is of the slow acting type and controls by its contact 97 the upper electro-magnet U. Immediately magnet U steps its ratchet 80 one step or more, adjusting the upper pair of wheels 70 toward each other to increase the depth of their cut and decrease the gaged width of the blade. By its upper contact 08, relay 96 closes a locking circuit 99 for itself, but the other branch of circuit 95 includes in series a loop 100 includin normally closed contacts 102 of ma net Thereby when magnet U pulls up, t e circuit of relay 96 is broken. By reason of this arrangement all breaking of the circuit at the teeth 89 of gage plates 86 is avoided, thereby eliminatmg arcing at the teeth 89 which would not on y wear the teeth, but cause variation in the gage through oxidation. When contact is made by the teeth 89 of the lower plate 87 circuit 103 of the slow relay 104 is closed, and through its contact 105 it closes a circuit of the lower electro-magnet L to ad'ust the lower pair of wheels 70 toward eac other. Like the relay 96 it closes the locking circuit for itself over conductor 106 by contacts 107 and in turn has its circuit opened through the opening of a 100 100 at contact 101. It will be apparent that by reason of the provision on wheels 86 and 87 at intervals of a blade length a ga e of the width is lade, am? that if one operation of magnets L or U is insufiicient to correct variatlon in gage, the circuit is again closed when the succeeding tooth 89 engages strip 10, this being repeated for each tooth 89 until the adjustment of the width to normal has been effected. Obviously the time relation of the slow acting relays 96,104,anrl the magnets L, U, may be made anything desired, and should be regulated with reference to the speed of strip 10, and the number of contacts possible per minute of strip 10 with teeth 89. The teeth 89 are preferably of finely tempered steel of a hardness eater than that of the tempered stri 10.

urther, I prefer not to weaken the blade b notches at opposite extremities of the line but rather to weaken it b the other two means disclosed, whereby t e width of the blade at the line b is the same as it is in the body of the blade, and the gaging may be carried out at this point instea at some other.

SM (Figs. 2 and 5) is the stropping mechanism. This mechanism is essentially 116 interconnecting t e the arrows by means of-belt gearing 114.

The strapping wheels 110 comprise body disks of any suitable material provided wit a facing 115 of stroppin'g material. They are continuously drawn toward each other and against the work b adjustable spri s arms 111. y means of thumb screws 117 passing through swiveled connections 118 with one of the arms of each 1pair the tension of the s rings may be regu ated with any desired egree of nicety. Connecting with supportingframes 119 and lying between each pair of arms 111 are stops 120 havin such dimensions and such positions that t ey constitute abutments which will engage the arms 111 and prevent the stropping wheels 110 from being drawn together should the blade strip 10 be suddenly withdrawn or broken. Upper shaft 112 is driven from lower shaft 113 by belt 121, and directly from the countershaft 123, from which all the mechanisms of the apparatus are driven. As clearly appears in Fig. 2, a workholder WH is provided on each side of the set of stropping wheels 110 and rigidly connected wit the frame 119. If desired there may be interpolated between the edge grinding mechanisms EG and stroppin mechanism SM a honing mechanism 0 substantially the same construction as the edge grinding mechanism. Such a honing mechanism of course constitutes merel a duplication of the edge grinding mec anism, since its wheels are actually grinding-wheels. However, if desired, an adjustment of the wheels 70 may :be omitted, and springs 116 provided as in case of the stropping mechanism SM, or else manual adjustment maybe relied upon. However, in case automatic adjustment is not omitted, the automatic system shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 10, may be duplicated, and regulated with greater nicety.

The unfinished blades are wrapped in strip form by a mechanism WM next to the stropping mechanism. This mechanism comprises a pedestal base 124 in which is suporte'd ina suitable bearing 125 a hollow ournal 126 several inches in interior diameter. This journal on one endcarries a pulley-127 by which it may be rotated from the countershaft 123, and on the opposite end a large flange or frame 128 upon which are mounted on symmetrically positioned axes 129 diametrically opposite each other reels CROSS REFERENCE 130 of araflined r or other wra in materia in strip fd r n ii Projecting thi'iiiig the ournal 126 from the rear is an axially allned work holder WH' of the form shown in detail in Fig. 12. .This work holder is substantially the same as the work holders WH except that its front end is elongated and projects is rough the journal 126, and on opposite sides of the channel 24 is provided with forwardly projectin blades 131, 132. The respectlve upper an lower edges 133 and 134 of which pro'ect slightly above the upper and lower e ges respectively of the strip 10. These blades adjoin .closely and referably lie flatly against the opposite aces of the strip 10, and edges 133 and 134 taper forwardly to a point of minimum width, while. the width of the respective blades 131, 132 is less in each case than the width of the strip 10. The wrapping material is fed from the reels 130 upon the str1p 10 as it passes between the blades 131, 132, the frame 128 being driven at a high rate of speed and thus winding the wrapping stri s from the reels in a double spiral, the ang es of the axes 129 with respect to the transverse plane being such that the wrapping strips are properly fed. Assuming the strlp 10 to be fed forward at a uniform rate of speed bearing a determinate relation to 'the speed of the wrapping mechanism WM,

the wrapping takes lace in a uniform manner as illustrated. y reason of the blades 113, the sharp edges of the strip 10 do not cut the wrapping strips, the paper being drawn from them by the movement of the blades as the wrapping proceeds, and pressed flatly to the strip and through the apertures a therein.

The strip feeding mechanism SF is that mechanism which draws the strip forward through the apparatus and which as an element of the wrapping mechanism presses the wrapping material'upon the blade as aforesaid, and thus effectually withdraws it from the blades 131 and 132. Between the wrapping mechanism WM and the feeding mechanism SF, there are several turns of wrapping material around the strip, and as is well known, the existence of several turns ofstrip material around a given support greatly reduces the friction per turn necessary to hold the material against slippage. Obviously therefore since the actual direct tension of the strips of wrapping material is, taken up over the dull edges of blades 131, 132, there is no danger of cutting the wrapping material after 'it is drawn from the blades 131, 132. i

The strip feeding mechanism comprises pedestal base 135 from which is supported in vertical bearings 136 on each side of strip 10 a shaft 137 bearing at its upper end a feed and premer roll 138. Lost motlon is provided in any suitable manner in bear- EXAMINER ings 136 and shafts 137 are drawn toward each other by spring 139, while at their lower ends they are geared together by gears 140 and driven from shaft 123. One of the presser rollers 138 is provided with comcally shaped pin teeth 141, while the other is provided with face recesses m which these teeth are received during the rotation. This wheel is shown in Fig. 13. The presser rolls 138 may be suitably heated if desired to st1ck parafiin strips or other suitable materlal to each other and to the blade stri 10 whereby the blades are hermetically sea ed. If sufiicient parafiin is used the seal is hermetlcal whether cold or hot.

The strip 10 asses freely from the feedin mechanism F, and taking the form of a ow of sufiicient size to pla beyond the mechanism SF, it is engage by a blade severing device BS. Like the other devices, this device is supported from rails 14, 15 by means of a pedestal 142 provided with 'the same means of longitudinal adjustment along the rails. It com rises two horizontally disposed star whee s 143, one on each side of strip 10, and driven in unison or s nchronism from shafts 144, which like sliafts 137 are geared together beneath rails, 14, 15 by worm gearin 145, and driven from countershaft 123. ach star wheel 143 is shown as provided with four points 146, but a greater number of points may be rovided if desired. Intermediate each adacent pair of points is provided a pair of dull projections 147, the ad'acent wal1s of which form a notch 148. he angularlty of the walls of these projections, and hence the sharpness of then vertically disposed apexes and the size and angularity of the notch between them may be varied as desired. Essentially, however, the dimensions are such that when the wheels 143 are geared together in a 90 (or a 360/2n. relation in which n represents the number of points 146), the points 146 during revolution will project wlthin the notches 148. The faces of wheels 143 are formed in vertically extending planes or surfaces. The points 146 are reasonably sharp and on the vertical faces are provided at intervals pin teeth 149 or supplementary recesses 150. The strip 10 is entered between these wheels 143 with the pin teeth 149 in mesh with the proper aperture a (see Fig. 14) to position the lines of weakened section b precisel at the points 146, the distance between a jacent points 146 being substantially equal to two blade lengths. As clearly illustrated, as the wheels143 revolve, they pass strip 10 forward between them, and as the weakened sections 6 fall acro$ notches 147, they are engaged by points 146 which project slightly into the notches and are broken, the oints 146 engaging precisely at the weakene portion '1), and the opposite walls of notches 147 on each side thereof, Preferably the points of the walls of notches 147 are well rounded or turned, whereby the wrapping is not cut during this breaking o ration.

Obviously the blades are roken alternately from op osite directions. They thus take a zigzag orm, and in this form pass into a short chute 150 of a transverse section approximately ualing the face area of the lades. At t e outer end of this chute revolves the counting and packin wheel 151 of the packaging mechanism Pllf. The wheel 151 rotates on axis 152, and comprises a metallic strip of a width substantially equal to a blade length, bent into helical form and having a length of a little over one turn, the front end 153 projecting slightly beyond the rear end 154 and having its helicoidal pitch decreased gradually to zero. The gitch of the s' 1e turn of the spiral 151, an the number 0 turns thereof may be adjusted in accordance with the rate of operation of the a paratus being described, and the rate 0 speed of the strip 10. As shown, it is of such pitch as to engage one V of the stri 10 at a time, proecting transversely o chute 150 for this purpose, and as it rotates one V of the zigza after another is caught by the spiral 151 an pressed forward. bviously the number of turns mi ht be increased so that any number of Vs o the zigzag of strip 10 might be simultaneously engaged.

The outer end 153 resses the outermost V into a packaging poc et 155 on the revolving table 156. This table is of a well known type, containing on one face a number of wrapping pockets 155 and on the other (see Fig. 6) a number of cam surfaces or slots 157 by means of which it is driven step-b step to resent the pockets successively to filled. he direction of rotation is shown by the arrow. Table 156 has a geared connection with the counting spiral 151, this connection comprisingr countershaft 157 driven by aring 158 cm countershaft 123 (or some erivation thereof) and chain or other gearing connection 159 with shaft 152 which bears device 151. On shaft 157' is an arm 160, the outer end of which bears a cam roller 161 which engages in cam slots 157 on the under side of table 156. The gearin roller illustrated is such that for each SIX revolutions of device 151, arm 160 rotates one revolution, and the shape of cam slots 157 as respects the path of rotation of roller 161 is such that during the latter part of the revolution of arm 160, table 156 is moved- 45, to present the next ocket of the eight provided to be filled. S aft 157 carries cam 162 which once in each revolution, immediately prior to the first movement of table 156 or just as this movement is about to begin or begins, operates cam lever 163 which rocks about shaft 152 and carries at its upper and shaft 152, to move device 151- bod1l to the left as shown by the arrow, where y the front edge 164 of the advance end 153 engages and severe from each other the blades between which it lies. This it does b simply severingthe paper wrapping whic connects them, the edge 164. being sharpened for this purpose. Obviously with a gear ratio of 1-6, the device 161 counts six pairs of blades or an even dozen before table 153 is moved. Latch 165-166 positions ockets 155 immediately opposite the end 0 chute 150, and the end 153 of device 151 presses each pair of blades as it is counted into the pos'tioned ocket, and the last pair Bush with the ace of the table, the end 153 being preferably made flexible, and of sufiicient tension to provide the desired degree of compression. The counted dozen being severed from the balance of strip 10 at this point, table 155 is rotated to present the next pocket, and the two blades on the then end of strip 10 fall into the pocket as it comes into position.

The counted blades may be placed in boxes by any suitable mechanism, a number of well known purpose. If desired, of course, the boxes may be placed by an operator in pockets 155, and after the blades have been packed therein, the cover is placed in position or closed. A number of mechanisms are own to the art whereby the boxes are fed automatically to the packaging table and are automatically closed and delivered therefrom.

As respects it is pointed out that the wrapping mechanism WM, like the edge grinding mechanism and stropping mechanism, may be duplicated if desired, the second mechanism being used to apply an outer wrapping of an ornamental nature or containing advertising matter. This is mere duplication.

In the use of blades pac aged in this manner, one blade at a t1me is torn from the remainder, and the spiral wrapping. un-.

twisted Since the ends of the spiral wrapping are free, this may be accomplished with the greatest ease and facility irrespective of the adhesion of the inner hermetical wrappmg In .Fig. 11 I show a modified form of circuit connections for the temper detector. In this figure parts similar to those shown in Fig. 9 have applied thereto similar ref- There are used two sensitive cells 55, 55', but instead of heir? connected by the potentiometer metho they are respectively connected in the arms of a Wheatstone bridge 167. This bridge is fed from a source 168, against the electromotive force. of which thelectro-motive forces of cells 55 and 55' are pitted. Variations in the electro-motive force of cell 55, therefore, as respects that of the gage types being adapted for this modification of the apparatus,

cell 55', is measured by galvanometer 169, the pointer 170 of which controls circuits 63 and 65, and interrupter contacts 62 in its own circuit. Current flows in galvanometer 169 in one direction or the other according to whether the electro-motive orce of cell 55 is low or high as respects the value of the electro-motive force of cell 55. The electro-motive force of cell 55 varies directly in accordance with the movement of ight reflected from strip 10 as it passes before aperture tube 53.

In Figs. 9

vided with contacts operated by the magnet, whereby it is made and broken each time the magnet is actuated, but instead there may be used a constantly revolving commutator C placed in the circuit as indicated. When the test relay makes and breaks its own circuit, this commutator C will rest idle in the position shown, but in case the circuit making and breaking contacts are not provided, a suitable motor will be provided for continuously rotating the commutator as well known in the art. The timing of this commutator may be adjusted to suit any desired conditions. Such commutators may also be used in the circuits of the relays used in connection with the gaging magnets of Fig. 10. In such case the rate of rotation of the commutator will be related to the feeding movement of the strip that it breaks the circuit of the relays after the gage disks 87 have broken contact with the strip. The commutators should be laced in the locking circuits 100 or 100' in lieu of the contacts on the feed magnets L and U.

It is of course understood that the work holders WH may be moved as close to any of the grinding or other working elements as desired by simply adjusting the positions of the several mechanisms with respect to each other.

The upper and lower pairs of grinding wheels may be segregated or incorporated in separate mechanisms, if desired, thus grinding one edge of the strip at one int and the other edge at another point 1n the progression of the strip. Furthermore the lon 'tudinal overlap of the upper and lower wheels may be varied as desired in order to increase or decrease the diameter and vary the angular relation of the edges of the blade without interference between the wheels. Thus the overlap of the 11 per and lowerwheels may be elimina entirely, the wheels adjoining each other laterally as closely as practicable. There is thus no danger of interferanother wheels were of considerable diameter,

f one wheel and 541nthe' and 11,I have shown the circult of the testing relay or magnet pro-' tobe it were desired to acute angle.

The modification of Fig. 15 consists 1n the elimination of the perforation at the line of minimum cross sections b, reduction of thickness and edge notches alone being relied upon. In such case, however, the perforations a are provided at regular intervals, as above, and preferably with one of them fallin in the center of each blade section where y the blade is ada ted centrally supported in a holder 0 the Gillette type.

The cutting edge 154 of the spiral 151 grind the edge at a very of the blade severing mechanism should be. formed on a diameter slightly greater than that of the main bod 153 whereby when the spiral is advanc to cut the wrapper to sever the blades there is no interference of the body portion 153.

One may operate the entire machine, and in doing so need give the several mechanisms but intermittent attention since normally all adjustments are automatic. By inspecting the product turned out and the o ration of the various mechanisms from time to time he can supply such supplemental adjustment as is necessary, such for instance as bodil adjustment of the airs of grinding wheels 0 to center the edge ormed, and adjustment of the temper re lator to take care of any variations in t e source of heating power or sources of light. When one strip is about used up he has merely to stop the machineryfor a few minutes and then integrally unite (b welding or otherwise) the advance end 0 another roll of the strip with the end of the retiring strip with the perforations in proper relation and thereupon the operation may proceed without further interruption.

S rings 22 and 139 may connect with she 18 and 137 by means of collars, or may interconnect the bearing blocks themselves as indicated in Fig. 16.

The ars between the main drive shaft 123 an the several mechanisms are but illustrative of any suitable form of gearin l'he workholders WH may be adjustably mounted upon the su portigg pedestals particularly for longitu al a ustment thereof if desired.

The commutators C may be placed in conductors 63, 65 of Figs. 9 and 11 instead of 'being'located as illustrated. In such case contacts 52 are entirely omitted and the circuit of et 60 or of galvanometer 169 is maintain normally closed. 7

The mechanism WM may be of any desira e orm, and; may operate to place the wrapping upon the strip longitudinally instead of spirally. Such wra ping mechanisms are very common in t e art of wire making in which fiat rubber edges sealed together under pres-' lappms sure. n case such longrtudmal wrapping is referred, I fllprefer to use two longitudina y fed para ned wrapping strips, one on each side of the blade strip, and slightly wider than the blade strip whereb their edges overlap on each side of the blade strip and may be sealed together by the pressure of heated rollers on the overlapping edge 8011210115, the overlappin edges being paraf:

ned on their adjacent aces.

What I claim 1s 1. A machine for forming razor blades comprising a series of edgewise sup orts for continuous strip of bla e materia, which supports are spaced apart, and blade forming mechanisms arran ed intermediate the supports of the series, t e said supports and the said mechanisms operatively engaging the strip in different regions.

'2. A machine for forming razor blades comprising a turn table horizontally arranged to support a coil of stri material, supiports arranged to support t e strip of ear coil edgewise in a vertical plane, and

forming mechanisms interpolated between said supports.

3. A machine for forming razor blades comprising an axial support for a coil of strip material, supports operatively engaging the strip in regions spaced apart and arranged to hold said strip against lateral movement as it is fed from said reel, and forming mechanisms interpolated in the region etween said an ports.

4. A machine for orming razor blades comprising an elongated base, supports for a strip of blade material arranged to guide said strip longitudinally of said base and operatively engaging said strip in determinate regions, and mechanism to operate upon the strip supported upon said base, and interpolated in the regions between said supports.

5. A razor blade forming mechanism comprising strip supporting means arranged to support the longitudinally fed strip against edgewise movement, edge forming mechanisms in juxta-position to the path of said strip between certain of said supplorts, regulating means for said forming mec anism, and a circuit closer governing said regulating means and having a determinate positional relation with respect to said strip supports.

6. A machine for forming razor blades comprising a strip feeding mechanism arranged to feed the blade material in stri form,'blade fo mechanisms arranged in advance of said feeding mechanisms and blade severin mechanisms arranged to sever said bla es behind said feeding mechamsm.

7. A machine for forming razor blades comprising a series of supports spaced apart and arranged to fix a continuous strip of blade material against edgewlse movement, yet simultaneously penmt longitudinal movement with respect to the supports, and blade forming mechanism arranged mtermediate the supports of the series.

8. A machine for forming razor blades comprising supports spaced apart and arranged to fix a continuous strip of blade material against ed wise movement, yet simultaneously permit longitudinal movement, and duplex blade orming mechanisms operating simultaneously upon both edges of the strip arranged intermediate said supports.

9. A machine for forming razor blades comprising a series of sup rts for a continuous strip of blade material, holding said material against edgewise movement, which supports continuously engaging the strip but are spaced apart to leave the portion of a continuous strip in free space between them,

and blade forming mechanism arranged to operate upon the said free portion of the strip.

10. In a machine for forming razor blades, a series of spaced sup rts for a continuous strip of blade material comprising in combination means supporting the strip against edgewise movement but per mitting longitudinal movement, means to impose friction upon the strip as it passes the su port longitudinally, together with blade orming mechanisms arranged to operate upon the strip intermediate said suports.

p 11. In a machine for forming razor blades in combination, a support for a continuous strip of material and a continuous feed strip feeding mechanism spaced apart, and a blade forming mechanism arranged to operate upon the strip between said support and said feeding mechanism.

12. A machine for forming razor blades comprising instrumentalities combined as follows: a sup rt for a continuous strip of material includiiig a friction means arranged to oppose traverse of the strip past its support, a feeding mechanism engaging the strip to effect such traverse, but spaced from sai support, and blade forming mechamsm o erating upon the continuous strip in t e space between said support and said feeding mechanism.

13. A machine for forming razor blades comprisin a blade f0 mechanism, means to raw the continuous strip of blade material through said forming mechanism, and means on the opposite side of said forming mechanism resisting the draft of the strip therethrough whereby it is placed under tension during the period of the op-' eration of said forming mechanism upon it.

14. In a razor blade machine, a blade forming mechanism, and sup rts for a continuous strip of blade materia operated upon by said mechanism comprising in combmation a pin wheel adaptedto engage apertures in said strip and support it against e ewise movement together with abutments yie dingly opposed to the opposite sides of said strip.

15. In a razor blade machine, a blade forming mechanism, and supports for a continuous strilp of blade material 0 rated upon by sai mechanism comprising in combmation a pin wheel adapted to enga apertures in said strip and su port it a inst edgewise movement toget er with a utments opposed to the o posite faces of said strip, one of them fix and the other yielding.

16. A machine for forming razor blades, means for drawing along an extended path a continuous stripof blade material, and a tempering and a grinding mechanism operating upon said strip in succession as it is fed along said path.

1 In a machine for forming razor blades, blade forming mechanism, feeding mechanism arranged to draw a continuous strip of material past said forming mechanism, and wrappmg mechanism operating upon the continuous strip intermediate sai forming mechanism and said feeding mechanism.

18. A machine for forming .razor blades comprising form' mechanism, feeding mechanisms arrange to draw the strip past said forming mechanism, a wrapping mechanism operatin upon the continuous strip of formed b es, and a blade seve mechanism operating upon the strip bey oi id the wrappinguzlnechanism.

19. A mac e for forming razor blades comprising formin mechamsm' feeding mec anisms arrange d to draw the strip past said forming mechanism, a wra ping mechanism operating upon the continuous strip 1 of formed blades, and a blade severin mechanism operating upon the strip beyon the wrapping mechanism, together with a wrapper cutting device beyond the blade severing device.

20. A machine for forming razor blades comprising a feeding mechanism arranged to draw 'a'continuous strip of blade material along a pre-determined path, a support in advance of said f mechanism arranged to resist draft of said strip whereby the strip is placed under tension mtermediate the support, and the feeding mechanism, and blade forming mechanism and a blade wrapping mechanism juxtaposed to the path of movement of said. strip to opergtle tkereon in the order named.

machine for forming razor blades to draw a continuous strip of blade material along a pre-determined path, a support in advance of said feeding mechanism arranged to resist draft of said strip whereby the strip is placed under tension mtermediate the sup rt and the feeding mechamsm, and blade rming mechanism and a blade wrapping mechanism juxtaposed to the path 7 of movement of said strip to operate thereon in the order named, to ther with a temering mechanism loca in advance of said lade forming mechanism.

22. A razor blade forming mechanism comprising strip supporting means arranged to support the longitudinally fed strip against edgewise movement, edge forming mechanism in juxtaposition to the path of said strip between certain of said supports, blade width regulating means for said forming mechanism, and a blade width gage juxtaposed to the width of sald strip after it passes said forming mechanism and controllin said regulating means.

23. i cutting tool forming mechanism comprising strip supporting meansarranged to support a longitudinally fed strip of tool material against lateral movement, edge formin mechanism in juxtaposition to the path 0% said strip between certain of said supporting means, dimension determining means connected with said forming means and arranged to ad'ust the same to regulate the dimension of t e formed ed and a gage device juxtaposed said str1p after it passes said edge formmg mechanism and connected with said dimension determining device to control the same.

24. A cutting tool forming machine comprising means to support against lateral movement a strip of tool forming material, mechanism engaging said strip between certain said supporting means to form the tools in connected series, together with a severing device comprising a pair of toothed wheels geared together and engaging the strip between them.

25. A cutting tool forming machine comprising means to support against lateral movement a strip of tool forming material, mechanism engaging said-strip between certain said supporting means to form the tools in connected series, together with a severing device comprising a pair of pointed toothed wheels.

26. A cutting tool forming machine comprising means to support against lateral movement a strip of tool forming material, mechanism engaging said strip between certain said supporting means to form the tools in connected series, a severing mechanism comprising devices arranged to apply the severing stroke alternately from opposite sides of the strip.

27. A cutting tool forming machine comprising means to support against lateral movement a strip of tool forming material,

mechanism engaging said strip between certain said supporting means to form the tools in connected series, together with a severing device comprising a pair of toothed wheels geared together and engaging the strip between them, and means supporting the strip against lateral movement connected with said wheels.

28. A machine for forming cutting tools in series comprising a series of supports spaced apart to fix a continuous strip of blade material continuously against edgewise movement with respect to themselves, yet permit longitudinal movement, and blade forming mechanism arranged intermediate the supports of the series.

29. A machine for forming cutting tools comprising a series of supports spaced apart and arranged to fix a continuous strip of blade material against edgewise movement with respect to themselves yet permit continuous longitudinal movement, and rotary blade forming mechanism continuously engaging said strip intermediate the said supports.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN P. TARBOX. 

